Chapter 55: Chapter 55

Ummi dumbfoundedly stare at him, she could see the pain beneath his unvoiced words; as fear and curiosity hugged her heart. What could be in the envelope? Could it be related to her in any way? And why his sudden change of mood? For his facial expression screams pain and heart break.

"Can I have a look?" Ummi asked out of curiosity, for she couldn't withstand seeing him like this. He looked as if he was stabbed from behind with a knife; which pierced directly through his heart.

He looked up at her; trying so hard to suppress the burning rage seething within his soul. As he blinked back his tear "It's nothing, let's go," with that, he stuffed the envelope in his pocket; where he kept the other one_____which he took out in the morning, afraid; Ummi might enter his car and find it.

He gripped her hands so tight that she had to let out a slight yelp; which he acted mum to. Without glancing at smirking nor crying Hajia and Laila; Al-amin walked into the house, with Ummi's palm still in his grisp.

They entered the house, as Al-amin banged the door behind them and closed it. Ummi tried getting out of his grisp but couldn't; as he dragged her to his room, his eyes emoting sheer infuriation; he was clearly fuming with rage.

They entered his room, he locked it; looking at Ummi with his now bloodshot eyes. Ummi gulped down a lump in her throat and asked him; for she too is curious to know what was in the envelope. And her heart was beating rapidly, afraid to know the contents of the envelope.

"Al-amin, could you please tell me what's inside the envelope?" She inquired, as her intestines growled at the look he flashed her.

Al-amin let out a humorless laugh, moving towards her. "Do you want to know what's inside the envelope? What use could it be for you? After you were the one in the envelope!" He replied in a high pitched tone. But Ummi seemed clueless, how could she be in the envelope Hajia just gave him? This is quit confusing.

She placed her handbag on his bed and moved towards him, trying to take a hold of his hands_____long forgetting what happened in the morning. "I think you need to calm down; Al-amin. In every hardship comes ease, sit down please," she spoke softly, trying to hold his hands. But what he did took her unawares; as he flinged away her hands away from his.

"How dare you tell me this, Aysha?! In this case; you're my hardship, the most difficult hardship I could ever come across in my life. And the best remedy, the best way to find ease is to remove you out of my life! You disgust me, Ummi!" He thundered, as tears spilled out of his eyes______at the same time regretting ever uttering those words. For he planned to bury those envelopes deep beneath the reach of any human in the world, but she provoked him.

'You disgust me, Ummi!' Were the words that kept repeating in her mind; as tears swelled up her eyes, rolling down anguishly. What has she done? How could she become his hardship? And his way of finding ease being her out of his life? What happened? What happened to their once peaceful life?!

Mustering the remaining energy and understanding in her; Ummi slurred the words as if she was being pointed with a gun. "I beg you in the name of Allah, show me this envelope, let me know what is happening; Al-amin."

He scoffed and glared at her, reminiscing when she was brought home by that guy, the envelope Hajia gave him in the hospital, when he saw them in the traffic; and now this. Could he be more broken? Could his soul be more desolated? And could he ever trust this woman before him?

"Do you really want to know? For it crushes my soul, shattered my heart; and made you the most disgusting human being in my life. Aysha, it isn't the first envelope I've recieved, and....," he couldn't even finish, even though he was angry at her, and she seriously disgust him______some words couldn't just cooperate and come out.

Ummi staggered back, feeling how his words scourged her brittle heart, she could feel the blood dripping from her heart; what's infront of her wasn't her husband anymore.

"Al-amin, you words hurts. If you don't know, they really hurt, Al-amin," she whimpered painfully, feeling her soul slowly detaching from her body.

"Not as painful as these, Aysha!" He roared, as he took out the envelopes from his pocket and emptied the contents on his bed.

Ummi gasped, heart shattering; as her eyes couldn't still believe what she was seeing on Al-amin's bed. There were pictures of her and Mubarak; the first pictures were taken when they were in school, and the other ones were taken almost an hour ago!

She slumped on the bed, taking the first pic that caught her eyes. They were at an ice crean bar with Mubarak; whom was her only male friend then, Azizah was together with them, but she wasn't in the picture. They were laughing joyfully, as he scooped an ice cream in her mouth. They really looked like lovers then.

She smiled; a smile that could break a sturdy heart_____her tears dripping on the picture. "And where did you find this?" She asked, not looking up at him, whilst taking the picture that was taken today; when she was smiling and thanking him, thrusting him back his handkerchief.

All their positions in the pictures screamed love! And right now______she knew she is doomed, and nothing could save her but Allah. She held the recent picture and looked at Al-amin; how he was wrathfully and disgustfully looking at her made more tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Could you believe me? Could you please listen to me? Please, Al-amin?" How she sounded, her facial expression, the tears streaming on her face______that only could crush a heart, not to talk of her bleeding heart, desolated mind, and detached soul.

He laughed humorlessly, pain evident on his face, as his bloodshot eyes were getting redder. He knew she was in pain, but he couldn't help it too______not after seeing it numerous times with his eyes, without being told.

"He was my classmate. He always wants my happiness but never my sadness. He always looks for my smile but never my tears. He was always there for when you broke my heart. He's my heart healer, Al-amin. And he became my colleague. You misunderstood the whole thing, Al-amin," he spoke sarcastically, mimicking her voice; as she stood there numb, staring intensely at his face.

"Do you think I'm that foolish? What do you take me for?! Tell me Aysha! And mind you; you should just keep your words to yourself, for they would never be accepted here!" He bellowed and yawed his gaze from her face, for how her tears were dripping_____he feels as if they were droplets of fire being dripping on his heart.

Ummi stood up and moved towards them "Al-amin please, wallahi it isn't what you mistook it to be," she cried so hard, her voice was becoming soar; face all red, and heart shattered.

"Don't touch me! You can't touch two men a day! One is enough for you! And mind you, don't ever come near me! Could you please leave my room?!" He clamoured, not looking at her face, as he moved backwards, as if she was a disease he was afraid of getting infected by.

"Al-amin, even for once; listen to me," she was crying profusely, her words were coming out in hiccups. All her world was crashing down, she knew she have lost her means of happiness!

"Would you please leave my room? Now!" He yelled, making her flinched back in fear and pain. Is this her Al-amin?

Without a word, she took her handbag and walked out of the room; only to be halted by his coarse voice. "Laila is staying with us; until she is officially married to me! Make sure not to cross her way," the words rolled out of his mouth casually, as if he wasn't shattering one's heart.

Crestfallen, Ummi walked to her room. She couldn't even feel her walking legs. All her body has became numb, only her laboriously beating heart and a seizing breathe. As she slumped on her bed; all her water works began______she cried like she haven't cried before, she couldn't even muster the courage to stop the streaming tears nor her shattering heart.

****

Hajia smiled triumphantly, when she saw Al-amin and Ummi walking inside the house. From the looks on his face, she knew he had gotten the message she had intended to pass, and she knew success is theirs.

"Go in, Laila. Make sure you do all the things a wife is supposed to do, I know they wouldn't be in good terms from today onwards. Try so hard and win his heart before it's time for the nikkah," Hajia said felicitiously, patting Laila's shoulders.

Laila looked at Hajia, afraid that if she knows what she's going through, she wouldn't have smiled like this. She would've cry with her. "Hajia, don't you think this is too much? Like aren't we making her life a living hell?" She asked innocently, not that she isn't jealous of Ummi______but the pain in her heart; she knew what it takes to loose a loved one.

Hajia smacked her shoulder so hard, "You are very stupid! Ashe dama ke sakarya ce? (So you are a fool?) Would you stop feeling bad for her before I strangle you or not? Ji min wawanci. Yarinya ana ga annabi kina runtse ido? (I'm here looking out for you, but you aren't seeing). If you forgot, let me remind you______Al-amin was your childhood friend, a cousin and a brother material to you. You guys have loved eachother since day one. Even when he went to that school, you were so in love and touch with each other; but all changes after he met that witch," and the list goes on, making Laila swiftly forgot about the pain she's in, as she avowed on making Ummi's life a living hell. She had what she had been yearning for her entire life, and that's true and forever love!

"Would you leave him for her? And that means she has won, she would get whatever she wants, she's the luckiest amongst you!" Hajia tattled, shaking Laila vigorously; as if wanting to revive the dying bitches in her.

Laila shook her head sideways. How could she? She will get Al-amin, have him wrapped in her fingers, and throw Ummi out of the house, even if that means living her whole life without the person she loves. "I'll never let this happen, Hajia. Al-amin is my love, he was born for me, and we were meant for eachother. I'll never let her have him, she doesn't deserve him!" Laila avowed, eyes clouded with jealousy and selfishness.

"That's what I want to hear, now; hurry and go. Bathe, dress to kill, and serve him dinner. Don't let us down, Laila," with that, Hajia called driver and drove back home.

Laila smiled enigmatically, she will surely avenge what Laith and Inas did to her. She will vent her anger, and avenge on Ummi. How they make her life miserable, how they make her hate herself, feel disgusted by herself; she'll surely make her feel worthless, and unwanted in her own matrimonial home!

"Buckle up your belt, the war is yet to begin; Mrs. Al-amin Bugaje!"

****

Ummi's energy was drenched, her eyelids were so heavy, her heart felt as if a mountain was put upon it. She slowly dragged her empty figure into the bathroom. She took her bathe and exited the toilet. She wore a plain gown and veil before she started praying. She longed her Sūjood. She loves and feels at peace upon the spirit connection she feels with Allah in Sūjood. She cried her eyes out to him, and surely; she felt relieved.

She sat on the prayer mat and began saying her azkars, since she had prayed her Isha Salah. The growl her stomach made reminded her of food. She knew her intestines needed some food, since she hasn't eat anything since breakfast.

She stood up and folded her Hijab and praying mat, before making her way out of her room. But what happened between her and Laila earlier made her halt, as Al-amin's last words strucked her heart. She flicked back her tears and walked towards her closet_____she couldn't leave this creepy crawly girl have her husband.

Ummi striped off her gown amd wore a black silk vest with a short that stooped in her thighs. She sprayed perfume all over her body, combed her hair and let it dangling on her shoulders; before she walked out.

Even though she looked pale, eyelids fluffy, face all red______she still looked dangerously ravishing. As she was descending the staircases, her gaze fell on Al-amin and Laila sitted on the dining table, talking in hushed tones. There was a serious expression on Al-amin's face, but that's the least Ummi could care for_____as she felt a pang of jealousy gripped her heart, her eyes getting misty with tears, which she blinked back swiftly.

Her perfume hits their olfactory lobes, as they looked up at her; both their hearts skipping a bit. Al-amin closed his eyes and inhaled a deep breathe, was she planning on murdering him? How could she dress like this? That too in Lailah's presence. Doesn't she know her body is for him and only him?

"Aysha," he didn't know how it came out, all he knew is; he couldn't function well seeing her like this.

She ignored him and shashayyed towards the kitchen, her heart aching at the position she saw them.

Seeing how he glued his eyes on her, Laila felt a pang of jealousy, as she stood up and walked towards him. "Yaya, do you need anything? Dinner would be ready by now," she spoke softly and ostentatiously_____but loud enough for Ummi to heart; whom was coming out of the kitchen with a nutella jar and ice cream in her hands.

"Didn't I called you? Or are you deaf or something?" He called again, ignoring Laila's existence.

Ummi ignored him and was halfway towards her room when he called again, so loud enough that her heart flinched. "I dare you to take another step, Aisha! Aren't I talking to you? Come down here this instant!" He roared, anger evident on his face, as he stood up______furiously staring at her.

She gulped down and placed her things on a table supporting a flower vase before descending down; all her body was shaking without her consent. Al-amin had to look away from her, for he knew it would be hard to control himself if he kept staring.

"And?" She asked, placing her hands at akimbo, as she pursed her lips______making her look adorable.

"Why would you be dressing like this? Can't you even wear a wrapper if it's possible to wear this skimpy clothes? We're not alone, Aysha!" He roared. His popped veins on his forehead were clearly seen.

"So?" She asked again, not glancing at Laila, whom was obviously enjoying how Al-amin was talking to her.

"You have to go and change! And don't you dare wear these kinds of clothes, ever again!" He declared, with a tone of finaly laced on his voice.

"Because?" She asked again, she's seriously enjoying this. Who could say the whole Al-amin could be jumbled with just a dress? She've got his weakness.

"I'm your husband! And dare not adhere with this, you will regret it."

"Congratulations dear husband, This woman isn't your wife. She's that difficult hardship you've ever had in your life, a human figure that disgusts you. And for your information______I'm shopping a wardrobe full of skimpy clothes, so get ready," with that, she winked enragedly and turned to leave; only to be caught by her hands, as he turned her around abruptly.

"How dare you?! Don't you ever dream of touching me!" He yelled, as she shrugged off his hands on her body.

"Here, drink water, Yayah. It will help soothe you down," Laila said with a smirk on her lips, as she thrusted him a cup.

The sound of a shattering glass; was all they heard, as Ummi flinged the cup Laila was holding, making it to shatter in shards. She looked at them disgustfully "Who do you think you are to interfere in our lives? Aren't you just his cousin? Yes! I know you two will get married, aren't you classy to just wait till the nikkah is solemnized before you'll start behaving the good wife thingy? Such a classless bride you are.

Let me warn you, Laila; never, I repeat myself, never! Don't ever dream of interfering in my affairs with my husband, he is mine for now; wait till he becomes yours too. Get this into your thick skull, idiot.

Let me make something clear for you____don't think we aren't on good terms with my husband, we're fighting or something. He is my husband, I love him and he loves me more! So know your limit," Ummi rolled her eyes at her, before taking a step towards Al-amin and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

"Goodnight Al-amin. See you tomorrow, classless bride," she said and walked off, only to be halted by Laila's egoistic voice.

"Where do you think you're going? You have to clear this mess!" She declared, confidence evident on her face, as she was all red from anger and jealousy.

Ummi let out a chortle, as she walked back towards them; clapping her hands. Al-amin was rooted on his spot, that kiss_____only if she knew.

"And who do you think you are? Would you please shut your mouth up? Laila, you don't know the real Aysha, don't provoke me!" Ummi warned, looking at her with her fiesty eyes.

"Because I am who I am! And you can't take a step further without clearing this mess!" Laila retaliated, she was fed up with Ummi's guts.

"Don't you dare raise your voice at me, mind your tongue, Miss."

"I've raised it, do your worst; Aisha Abbakar Mashi!" Before Laila could register what was happening, she felt a loud striking slap on her right cheek.

"How dare you!!! Mind your words when talking to me, Laila Mustapha Bugaje!" Ummi roared, when her next words were made guttural by a striking slap across her right cheek.

Zombie-like, afraid that what she was instincting was true; Ummi turned around and face Al-amin, how he was looking between her and his palm, proved her instincts. Yess! Al-amin slapped her because of Laila.